New policy meets community needs

Published on 14 August 2024

The Community Grants Program is one of Glenelg Shire Council’s most popular initiatives, with about $160,000 distributed to local groups and organisations annually.

And now the policy underpinning those grants has undergone an overhaul, allowing it to reflect our community more accurately.

Council adopted the new Community Funding and Support Policy at its July meeting, replacing an existing policy dating back to 2008.

While the Community Grants Program is perhaps the best known of the funding streams available to community groups and organisations, it is not the only avenue for funding.

This year there is a new Ageing Well Grants Stream, which is financial assistance to community organisations and groups for activities and projects that foster the social, health and wellbeing needs of older residents (55 years and over).

There are also changes to allow grants of up to $500 for smaller groups that require an incorporated organisation to auspice their projects – these grants would also not count against the total received by the larger organisation, as has happened in the past.

Glenelg Shire Mayor Karen Stephens said the new policy gave clarity and certainty to community groups over programs that were vital to their being able to function effectively.

“We all know how popular the Community Grants are, but there are also now new avenues for groups to explore and tap into,” Cr Stephens said.

“I know the change to allow for the grants to smaller groups will also be well received, with the auspicing organisation not now having to worry about its own eligibility for funding for its own projects.”

Major/iconic events, Aboriginal Education Scholarships, Minor Community Grants, the Junior Sports Trust and 26 January events funding are other streams covered in the policy.